Ontario Investing $22 Million to Support New Education Centre at Durham College

New Infrastructure Will Help Prepare Students for the Workforce

Ontario is investing $22 million to support a new Centre for Collaborative Education at Oshawa's Durham College that will improve student access to innovative programs and replace the college's historic Simcoe Building.

The province's investment will help Durham College construct a facility that will increase the number of practical programs, hands-on learning opportunities and real-world lab experiences it offers to students.

The centre will feature:

A business incubator to connect young entrepreneurs with the expertise of local experts and the resources they need to develop their ideas and launch start-ups.

Modern classrooms and labs for Durham's health programs, including new courses of study in behavioural science and pharmacy.

Space for the Global Class initiative, which offers interactive online lectures that connect students in real time with world-class thinkers and student peers from around the world.

Helping renew the Durham College campus is part of the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.

Improving postsecondary infrastructure is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Quick Facts

The Centre for Collaborative Education is a legacy project that will be underway during Durham College’s 50th anniversary year.

The new classrooms and laboratories will support expanded health programming including a new Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a diploma in Medical Laboratory Technologist (Pharmacy).

The Simcoe Building was originally built in 1969 and its structure cannot accommodate expansion through additional storeys.

This project is part of Ontario’s plan to provide $3 billion in capital grants to postsecondary institutions over 10 years.

The province has invested $3.6 billion in capital funding for Ontario colleges and universities since 2003.

Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“The Ontario government is proud to support this new infrastructure at Durham College, which will provide students with a variety of innovative options for practical education geared towards current industry demands. The Centre for Collaborative Education will replace an aging building and provide Durham College with the classroom and lab space it needs to focus on interdisciplinary applied learning, experiential learning opportunities and initiatives that will connect students with subject-matter experts around the world. This centre will directly support our government’s priority to grow Ontario’s economy and create good jobs.”

Reza Moridi

Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

“On behalf of everyone at Durham College I extend my sincere thanks to the provincial government for this significant investment in our commitment to creating a new centre that will bring together learners in Durham Region and across the globe. As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2017, we are excited to bridge our past with our future through the creation of the new Centre for Collaborative Education. This important funding will enable us to bring students, employees and the broader community together in ways that transcend traditional concepts of education.”

Don Lovisa

President, Durham College

“Durham College has long been a vital component of our community. This significant investment from the Province, which supports expanded programming and enhances Durham’s state-of-the-art learning environment, provides the renewal necessary to continue that important work.”